


0> o«o o, °^ '•-• 





HEAVEN AND HELL, 

— OR,- 

A ^' [ S [ O N () F T [I E 



I 



ffWlSMSB* m&T. 



FRO M A X 



O n T H O D O X STANDPOINT, 



r.Y 



IVlllS. O. iV« \\ OODWARD. 



AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED TO MY BELOVED MOTHER. 



Entered aecordin«: to Act of Consjross, on the 22(1 day of April, 
1878, by Mrs. ('. A. Woodward, in the ottice of tbe 

Librarian of Congress, at Washington, IK. C— ...^.^^ f 









SAM. CIIAPMAX, BOOK AND JOB PRINTER. 

1878. 



♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ■♦-- 



! 

4 



Til-: AAKX & IIIJ.I.. OK A \ ISHhN OF TilK JLDuMKXT DAY. 






PREFACE. 



I This liltli^ pocnii. written years a^j,o, not tbi' publication, l>ut 
f s;nii)ly as an out-hurst ol thongiit. upon the all-important subject 
Y of JlEAVKN AND IIkli., or Mtui's Final Destiny— written when it 
\ w'as almost considered Treason auainst the law of Almighty God 

♦ to let the light of reason shine upon the sacred pages of the liible — 
written whui the horrible terroi's of the law were sounded from 
n -ai-ly every sactunry in the land, when the lash of tyrany was 
h(dd daily ov>'r the heads of the people by satin-robed i)riests and 
broad-clothed clergy, commanding a feigned respect and obedi- 
ence to a (iod whosLi character and designs they dared not (jues- 
tion or try to investigate, lest tliey be considei-ed Heretics or 

♦ LuiKities; ;ind not wishing to ])e br:inded as either, save a few 
t i,ul)lic and pni'lor readings, 1 iiave kei)t my i)ro luction inrixj. 

t r.ut now, since this 2-rent tidal wave of fri'edoin of thought and 

\ s[)eech has come swx*eping ovei- the world, washing out the old 

iruts ol predjudice and su})erstition,I have been inducted to launch 
my little bark upon its waters. And I do it with a cronscious- 

♦ ness that il there is anything contained in these simple rhymes 

♦ tliat will throw the least ligiit upon this still dark ami mysterious 
I subject, I have no right to longer "hide them under a hushel." 

\ For. I ])elieve, if we have one thing above another which we 

\. ca;i cull o.ir own, it is our reasoning faculties. And, I also be- 
lieve that it is a sin against our Maker not to exercise tliem to 
' the fullest extent. 



u 



HEAVEN i HELL, Olt, A V I^I<).\ OF Tin: .) IIXJMKXT DA V. 3 ^ 

. . ^ 

Ami. reared, as 1 was. !»>' i-arents who tu^lievcd in tin' tiunl t 

s:il\ali(»H (;(■ all men, uiul whn read aud cxijluined tUf scrip- ! 

1 iirc'S to lUH ill t hat li.iiiil ; and >('l. owinir to the way we were f 

situate(i at that time, iiearl\' all 1 hear** at sehool, and Irom tiie * 

l>ulpit, taii.'^'ht me tiiat (Jod was .^'oiiig to etei'na'ly damn two- | 

ihirds or more of the wliole human family; all tliis contradic- ♦ 

tion of the meaning of that great iinfathomal)le revelation, Haiti I 

to be Divine, tended to oonfiise rather tlian enlighten my young I 

mind. Then, in after years, when separated from my child-hood i 

home, and I heard more of the terrors of (rod tlian I did of his f 

mercy and love; all of whicli was so very re])ugnant to my sensi- t 

five nature that my whole being seemed to revolt against rather ^ 

than reverence such a being, 1 felt sometimes that I was almost f 

drifting away into Intidelity, especially after 1 had become a t 

l)arent myself. It was then, with my mother heart all alive to ^ 

tlie least of my children's sulferings, either physical or mental, [\ 
that I began more earnestly to study the attril)utes of the author 

of our being. And while I have all deference for the opinions of ' 

others, 1 must differ with many of those with whom I associate, l 

if I exercise the God-given powers within me. \ 

In my opinion. God cannot be God and not be just. Audit i 

UKiy be that all this diversity of opinion of his children rests up- I 

on that one little word, Justice. What seems so horril)le to mo I 

maybe only justice to others. "Let every one be fully per- f 
suaded in his own mind." 

And now, without further comment or explanation in regard 
to my own views of tlie subject under consideration, t will pro- 
ceed to picture the future according to the strictly Oiithodox 
Doctrine, (as I understand it,) and then leave you, dear i-eader, 
to your own reason and conclusions. I begin with the dawning 
oftiiatnew era, the Judgment Day ! 

All my life long I have heard so much said about the great ^ 

Judgment Day, where the sheep were to be set upon the one ▲ 

hand, there to enjoy everlasting happiness, while tiie goats were ♦ 

to])e driven away into ''outer darkness," &c.,ttc., that my cogita- 1 

tions have very naturally tended that way somewhat, as [ could ♦ 

l)ut realize that I too, in common with the rest of humanity, | 

was i)ersonally interested in this matter. | 

t 



I 4 HEAVEN&HELL, OR A VISION OF THE JUDGMENT DAY. 

I And, after a careful survey of the whole ground (from an 

j Orthodox stand-point— taking into consideration the Justice as 

! well as the love and mercy of God,) my muse has summed it all 

♦ up in this little poem, vvhfch I now respectfully offer to the pub- 

t lie: MRS. c. a. w. 

♦ 
t 

t 



t 
♦ 

1 HEAVEN AND HELL. 



^ In this (the nineteentli century,) 

I Here, in this land of liberty— 

\ With all the light that science brings, 

I To 'lumine naUire, as she sings; 

i With perfect harmony of souiul 

i From rocky caves, far under ground, 

t Up to the starry depths of Heav'n, 

^ ( Where meir// seems almost engrav'n,) 

J Alas! a cloud still hovei'S o'er 

I From whence the threatning thunders roar 

I Occasionally, fo 'friglit the world, 

\ And keep the flag of freedom furled. 

\ ' Pis threatnings more than love that brings— 

4 Oft-times, "A measure of good things;" 

♦ Hence, as a intrchdndluc, Mis found 

♦ Advisalile (by heads jjrofound,) 

♦ To deal in brimstone and in tire 

5 Yet, sparingly, when son and sire 
J Sit miserly HI cushioned pew, 

J With small bills paid and lanjo owqh due, 

t There's nothing like i\ Jlame to cut 

! The tightly knotted purse-strings: But 



U^ 



HKAVKX & IIKI.I.. UH, A VfSf(lX<»K IHK -f I IHi.M KNT DAY 



Olil \vh;il. :i liun-i(l scene sdiv.e paint 

Of Hem en and lleli. 't\^•()lll(l make one faint. 

If, for one nionieiu, foiced to lieui- 

Tlie aii,-oniziii,ir shrieks of fear 

Iniairination pictures, wiien 

It iiiiu^lit but joy and peace should pen. 

AVljen (iod shall summon all the earth, 

(Tlie same jireat power that >^i\\n it birth.) 

'I'o 'j)ear l)efore the jud.iiinent seat, 

'I'o liumbly bow at Jesus' feet; 

And as they come trom every land, 

Kespondinsi: to the great command; 

And friends and l)rothers i)artod long, 

Join in one grand triumphant song, 

And families unite auain, 

That have for years been rent in twain, 

The burden of "that song above 

Will be, we know that '• God is love." 

Some come trom honored graves below 
Where soft winds sang a requium low. 
And mourning willow^s stooped and i)ressetl 
Tlie dainty daisy's pearly breast; 
And genial sunshine came eacli day 
'I'o kiss tiie tear-drops all away; 
Some Ivom beds of ice and snow — 
Some from caverns daik and low — 
Some from ruins where they slept, 
While blackened walls their vigils kept; 
Some from terrific fields of blood — 
Some from beneath tlie raging Hood, 
And some, we ask the winds, from where 
Did they a-rise? this joy to share. 

liut here they are, to jiraise his name; 
]t matters not from whence they came. 
Tlie gate's no longer just ajar, 
For yet, while they were off afar 
They saw it standing open, wide, 
AVith sainted Peter just inside. 
The useless Key his bolt now holds, 
"While to his breast he gently folds 
Each one in welcoming embrace, 
Then points to his allotted place. 

When all are in, the Heavenly harps 
( A million notes of flats and sharps,) 
With no discordant sound, then tell 
IIow' Angel hearts with rapture swell. 



4 



i G HEAVKN & in^LL. OR A V ISION OF THE JUDGMENT DAY. 

I Then coines tlje march urn unci the throne, 

i (That dnzliiJ'i,- lUiiHS v.t' i^vecAous stone,) 

♦ Where sits, in all his nuijesty, 

4 The (tu(1 of Heaven, and Eartli and sea; 

* AuiA by his side, our l)i'()ther! lie 

{Who siied iiis blood on Chilvary'; 
The liital I'.ook upon upon liis knee— 
'IMie Bof)lv tiiat seals man's destiny. 

•k The i;or,4eous i)a'i,eaut still moves on, 

*^ 'I'he Grand Review at last, is done; 

\^ The ranks are broken, and they're free 

i* To bask in heav'nly purity. 

•♦ With shouts and songs, and kisses sweet, 

T They clasp each other as they meet. 

vt And withtlieir n»yriad tongues proclaim 

*t The honors of God's holy name. 

n All feeling that, '-the last debt's paid," 

*r And peace with man anil God now made. 

5 Tlie\'*ve crossed the "Jordan," gained the shore 
^ Where parting is no more, no more. 



i^. 



O! yes, they're done with anguish now, 
Mo trace of pain is on tlie brow; 
No tears bedew the cheeks so fair, 
No eyes uptui'ned in eai"n(;st prayer. 
No heads bowed down in silent grief. 
No hearts there pleading for relief; 
But all are calm, content, serene. 
While drinking in this Innivenly scene. 

The little rivulets that glide 

So mer'ly down the green hill side, 

Are singing now a swo(>ter lay. 

To welcome in the "Judgement Day, 

And larger streams, meand'i-ing through 

The blooming vales are laughing too, 

And each succ 'ssive wave goes by 

In almost cdiildish ecstacy; 

All ripling forth a so!ig of praise 

For tills, the grandest of all days. 

And e'en the glassy lakes so still. 

All smiling, seem to feel the thrill 

Of Joy that beams on every face — 

lletie'cted on their bright surface; 

The mossy beds along the shore 

Seem softer now than e'en before; 

The grass has donned a i-icher green, 

While every where is to be seen 

The violet, with deeper hue. 



1 



HEAVEN & HELL, OR, A VlblOX 0¥ THE JUDGMENT DAY. 7 f 

. . ♦ 



4 

All sparkling- in the iiiornini- dew; 4 

Now puttiajj- Ibi'tii iiei- tiny head, ♦ 

And Mskinji- tliat she loo niay shed "♦ 

Her fiau ranee, as a iiift (ii\ ine '♦ 

To ail assembling at, the shs-ine. '* 

And beautious birds, of every hue J 

Out riv'linii; daisies, kissed with dew, t 

Are flittino; now lYoni tree to tree, I 

AV^itli joyolis sonjis of liberty. I 

Yes, liberty! from toil and pain, 1 

Sweet liberty! from sins dark stain. 4 

One grand redemption upon high, 4 

AV^ith not a cloud to mar their sky, ♦ 

All heav'n her banners have unfurled ♦ 

To welcome this poor sinful world. f 

lledeemed by Jesus Christ, the Lord, 7 

AVho died (according to God's word,) T 

That every sin might be forgiv'n, 1 
And every sinner heir to heav'n. 
Yes, not a drop of blood did pour 
From Calvary, but 'twould restore 
To purity, the foulest stain 
E'er stamped upon the souls of men. 

And now in answer to that blast 

From Gabriel's trumpet they're at last 

All gathered round tlie throne suljlime, 

From ev'ry land, from ev'ry clime. 

On golden' wings of beauty'bright 

They greet each other in their flight, 

A holy kiss, and smiles so sweet 

Exchanged between each group that meet, 

As on they go through endless space. 

With rapture beaming from each face. 

Ne'er dreaming there is yet despair. 

Beyond! where even earnest prayer. 

Is all unheard, while demons mock. 

The sutlrings of the 'cursed flock. 

Yes. torture! never ending pain, 

In store for them; and all in vain. 

Will be their cries, their groans, their tears, 

All, will not e'en reduce to years 

The agony that now awaits 

Some souls inside the golden gates? 

(Alas! This respite only came, 
To add another pang, or flame. 
In contrasting this world of light 
With that of hideous, hellish night.) 



.4 



Witii room in plenty, und tu si);ue. 
With naii^iht but pl'easui'e every w here, 
Is tlieie one iieiut so liard in lieav'n 
Tliat 'twould not ask these s(7uls lorgiv'u? 
U no! they'd cry vvitli one aceord, 
"Forjj;ive them; O. fori;] ve them Lord!'' 
But hark! what sounds now yreet the ear? 
Why, all this eagerness to hear 
These hugle notes? that tioat away, 
Keminding them 'tis "Judgment day.'* 
The mighty sound soon eaeli have heard, 
Ail heav'n's astir, 'tis (iod's own word, 

! Commanding them in thunder tones, 

To now api)roach the chief ol thrones, 
AVhei'e sits tlieir Judge, their (iod. their friend, 
j The (rod whose love tliey c(nild commend — 

t The God who spoke, and ([uick 'twas done, 

! "When earth, and moon, and stars, and sun 

I Aj)peared. as symbols of his pow'r, 

4 While every tree and every llow'r 

Alike, look'd up with rev'reiice true. 

And |>aid the strictest homage due. 

As winding notes are borne away, 

Calling cliildren frotn their play 

And bidding older ones arise. 

And come to order in the skies. 

That look of wonder on each face. 

Almost, the joys of heaven erase. 

But yet with shouts they all obey. 

And 'round the throne witi) great display, 

They 'i-ange themselves, in i)erfect glee, 

As children at a father's knee. 

Each one a blessing now expects, 

For God his children ne'er rejects. 

And all had learned, while yet on earth, 

That lie had loved them from their birth. 

And is this not the same great sire 

Who fosters not the faintest ire. 

And who declard by his own word, 

And through his son, (own blessed Lord) 

That no respecter would they see 

Of persons, well; then what can be, T 

To fear? Ail fear was lain aside, ? 

As heav'ns gates were opened wide. I 

''The book, my son," the father cries, ♦ 

As Jesus lifts" his pleading eyes. f 



HEAVEN & PIELL, OR. A VISION OF THE JUDGMENT DAY. 



rpfroin the pa.<;e he ehaneefl to scan, 
'Vh'M sealed the ilonm of sintul man, 
'I'h:'n passed tlie book, that awful book! 
T'^p to the Judiic. with ,ii,rnvei' look. 
Than when he raised his eyes and cried, 
'' "Fis tinished!" bowed liis head and died. 
The father sits in grandest state, 
AV^hile winged eherups on liini wait, 
And thousands more are flut'rinj^ near, 
Witiiout a care, or sigh or tear, 
All ])aslviugin tluit holy light. 
With tilmy'robes of snowy white. 

He points to one. he reads his name, 
'Tis credited witli deeds of fame; 
His sins all blotted from the page 
'I'here's naught to mar his calm visage. 
As nearer to the tlirone he drew. 
Where sate his God and Jesus too, 
And witli a reverence snblime, 
He meekly stands lleforethe slirine. 
But, oh! what rapture now he feels. 
As at his maker's feet he kneels, 
lleeeives the ci'owning gift of love,— 
'•Eternal life with him above. 

He calls a second and a tiiird. 

And ci'owns tliem, as lie s|)eaks the word 

Of life, and liberty and ease— 

A life of love — oi joy and peacre. 

He still proceeds, 'till scores are crowned, 

And heav'n is dazzling all around 

Witli starry gems and laurel wreaths. 

So gently wafted l)y the breeze. 

As through the court they're l)orne along 

'Mid shouts of laughter and of song. 



But, list! wiiat means this sudden pause? 
'I'his grand suspension of all laws? 
'I'his lireatiiless silence that now reigns 
Tliroughout the wole of heav'ns domains.? 
Alls! alas! he's turned a leaf, 
His loving face now tells of grief, 
As o'er these ])ages stained with sin 
He marks the names of some a-kin, 
To tliose just risen from his feet. 
Crowned witli iraiiands, rich and sweet. 
By magic pow'r, or i)ow'r divine, 
All eves are tni'iied toward the shrine. 



r 



10 HEAVEN & HELL, OR A VISION OF THE JUDGMENT DAY. 



I The utmost silence now pervades 

i The entire court; e'en hills and ,2:lades 

♦ Have hushed their warbling choirs to near 

♦ The senten(;e he must now declare. 
♦ 

!A11 heaven is mute, and in a-maze, 
Upon his face have turned to gaze, 

L AVhere bitter anguish, dark despair 

I Seem pictured on that l)row so fair. 

I And now, as that angelic band, 

1 80 horror-stricken, wondering stand, 

I And each one strain the eye to look 

♦ Upon the pages of the book, 

\ He waves his hand to call them near, 

f Their awful doom they needs must hear. 

t Now nearer to the throne they fly 

I With blanch'ed cheek and mournful eye. 

T Still all unconscious of their fate 

♦ How humbly at his feet they wait 

♦ And hearken for the sHghtest sound, 

I ( With pinions drooping to the ground,) 

I That would reveal the direful cause 

4 Ot all this change in heaven's laws. 

t (), what a struggle! as he scans 

J The darkened page, recalls his plans; 

His holy love and l)oundless pow'r 
Are almost master of the hour; 
He almost feels to cast aside 
That deadly i-ecord. open wide, 
His lovingarms and mercy show 
On each a crown of life bestow. 

But as he reads again the name, 
And ponders, "Can 1 Im; to Idame? 
For have [ not (condition'ly ) 
rrott'ered lile eternally? 
And tliey have not fulfilled th"ir part; 
And thus he hardens now his heart. 

That voice, tliat once was lull of love. 
And (dieered ttie heart ol all above. 
That face, witii mercy all aglow. 
(While 'olossings he could vet l)estow,) 
Hut now, h<iw cluniged! — what is it brings 
This silent drooping of the wings? 
'Pis j/(.s^V7'I stern, and loud and cold, 
Kesdiiduing tiii-ouu-h the heavenly fold; 
And as he reads the names aloud 



n 



HEAVEX & HELL, OR, A VISION OF THE JUDGMENT DAY. 11 t 

__ ^ 



They step forth with their heads now bowed, 

Terhaps exi)ecting some rebuke, 

As each tlie appointetl place he took; 

'Till all are called, aiid,waitin«>- stand 

Before the Jud.^e, the <;Teat, the grand! 

The merciful, the mighty God! f 

His smiting of the chastening rod. | 

Again he speaks— his voice rings out, f 

But 'tis not answered with a shout; 4 

'Twas such a wild, terrific yell, ♦ 

Each cult)rit in a moment fell r 

Before the bar, in perfect fear, t 

While sister spirits hovering near I 

To plead for mercy, all in vain, J 

For those that now are worse than slain. I 

In treml)ling accents he begins J 

And reads aloud their numerous sins. 

Again, a pause, as if to draw 

New courage from his former law: 

In this they see he now succeeds, 

And with the sentence thus i)roceeds: 

'• Depart! ye cursed, into tire ! 

You've merited youi- maker's ire; 

1 tind your sins are not forgiven, 

And I cannot forgive in heav'n. Ir 

Depart! dei)art! go! get the hence! ■' 

No! not one word in youi- defencie— 

Vour souls are stamped with sin's dark stain; 

You chose on earth tiiis gulf of jjain; 

You might escaped, the chaiKte was given; 

You miglit have all l)eeu lieii-s to heav'n, 

But you i-efused; my "skirts are clear;" 

I would that all were saved— but hear! 

'lis justice bids your loving sire 

Consign to everlasting lire 

Each one polluted thus with sin, 

That heav'en may all b- pure within. 



'' () father!" cries our Saviour, dear, , 

'.Mid sighs, and sol)s, and blinding tear 

Ae» on Ills knees, before the throne. 

He lifts his voice in j)Ieading tone, ♦ 

'' O Father! cans't thou e'er foruet ♦ 

M on n t C al v a ry ? u' h e re e \ o ry d e I ) t J 

Of uratitude and love 'twas du( 

Wat 



t' 



paid in (ir()ps of ci-ijusoii iiue? I 



t 



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12 - HEAVEX & HELL, OR A VISION OF THE JUDGMENT DAY. 

Can'st thou forget the thorny crown? 

The cup of gall? the scott's, and frowns? 

That writhing, agonizing death? 

The boon 1 asked, with latest hreath? 

And she who gave nie being there, 

Can'st thou forget her earnest prayer? 

When at the cross, she meekly knelt 

And all a mother's anguish felt. 

While witnessing that tragic scene 

That shook the very earth? and e'en 

The sun; that orb so grand and l)old 

Could not tlie awtul siglit behold, 

But veiled his face with sombrous cloud, 

AV'hile earthijuakes muttered vengeance loud; 

The Temi)le's veil was rent in twain 

When I! the son! O God! was slain. 

And this was all for these, dear sire, 
That they miglit now escape this tire 
T"'hat thou had tirst designed to be 
Their bed through all eternity. 

'' I know, my son," the Judge replies, 

'' That thou did'st make the sacrifice, 

That tliou did'st die on (Jalvary 

To pui-chase life eternally; 

1 know that Mary followed there, 

And at tliy feet did kneel in i)rayer. 

And lift her holy hands to me 

In all a mother's agony; 

As thou so nobly died to save 

The world from sin's dark, loathsome grave. 

But. when tlfou said the work was done — 

"All finished," l»y thy l)lood, my Son, 

Thou must have quite forgotten", child, 

Amid those acclamations wild 

Of dying thief and mocking Jew; 

'Twas only part that thoii could'st do; 

For, true repentance through that blood 

Is what I asked, and those; who would 

Accede to this, my firm decree, 

c;ould dwell in He'ven witli tiiee and me. 

Hence, each was left a work to do, 

Jn which some failed— aiul to be true 

To Justice, and my former i)lan, 

I can l)Ut banish every man 

That comes l)efore the Bar to-dny— 

Unless his sins are washed away." 




HEAVEN & HELL, OR, A VI.SIOX OF THE JUDGMENT DAY 



"O Father! see these bleeding' hands 

And pierced side, that ever stands 

As suppliants for each sinful soul 

N(f\v under thine entire control. ^ 

These, are those for whom I ci'ied ^ 

'• For.iii>'e them!" thoii^i^h ihey crucitied 

My body, yet 1 say forj^ivt? 

And let us all as brethi'en live."' 

iiut all this pleading is in vain, 

For Justice o\ er all must reij^n; — 

Then Jesus turned with pitying eye, 

As if to say, *' I can't descry 

The meaning of this awfnl doom — 

This 'living death,' this horrid gloom. 

Iiut mercy's doors are closed! you see, 

And i)leading now but mockery." 

Witli gliastly looks, and great surprise 

They, from the sacred throne arise 

And" turn their agonizing face 

Uj) to their God. as if to trace 

One gleam of hope, or mercy there 

In that dark hour of despair; 

Iiut stern and rigid is that brow — 

It has no mercy for them now; 

It tells them tliey have been renounced, 

The tinal doom has been pronounced, 

And tliey must bid a last Cai-well 

To friends and heav'en, and turn to hell. 

Oh I must tliey bid a last adieu 
To brothers, sistei-s, moihf.'rs too. 
All ho|)e of joy forever ([uell. 
And i)lunge into the lires of hell? 
'Pis so, not e'en ;kllowed to die; 
There's not a place for them to tly; 
No refuge — no, not e'en a hill 
' Twould dare to fall, and crush the will 
Of that stem rfudge, and author too, 
Of all that's good!, and pure, and true. 



And this is Justice! would to God t 

That mortal man had never trod J 

Upon thy footstool, if this be I 

The i!reater poi-tion's destiny! 

(Jreat (xod! thy Justice? thus to make 

'i'his damning gult! this burning lake! 

]>efoi-e a human lorm was niade 

To urace the earth, and as vou liado 

•• Replenish, multipdv and till," 



14 HEAVEN & HELL. OR A VISION OF THE JUDGMENT DAY 



j And thus obedient to thy will 

i Briny countless numbers into lite 

4 To strui^gle thr()U.i;li earth's toils and strife, 

♦ And then, when tlmt brief life is past 

^ Into this loathesonie i)it be cast 

t As food lor the devourmj^- flame, 

I While curses on thy holy uiinie 

1 Is all that's heard. 'save'piteous cries, 

I To thee, wiio reigneth in the skies. 

I But dare they (luestion this, thy law, 

I And ask of thee, who all foresaw 

From tiie lieginniiig of thy rei<;n, 
This 'jud.uuient day,'— this j^ailf of pain; 
With all thy wisdom, all thy pow'r 
The fate of each this trying- hour. 
Xo, sealed are all the lips to day; 
No looks but that of dark dismay; 
But yet. with hearts all torn and sore, 
They lift tlieir eyes to his once more, 
With yet, faint hope, he will lament, 
And let them of their sins repent. 

]5ut there's no mei-cy in that face, 
There's nouuht nowleft, but to embrace 
These lovinii- tViends still hovering near 
AN^ith tlirobbiim- hearts and scaldinj; tear; 
Imprint Ui)on tlieir lii)s a kiss. 
The last, 'twill e'er be iiiv'n in bliss. 

A friend extends his tremblinu' hand ; 
"Farewell!"' lie cries "'tis (iod's command; 
Fai-ewell ! farewell ! I too must iro 
And suller [)ain Mud endless woe." 

"Oh! no, it surely cannot be, 
J I ell was not made {'ov such as Ihee! 
You? who fed the Innmry poor 
And clothed tiie naked by the score! 
You? who watched with so much care 
The sick and dyinu" year Isy year! 
You? who of your store did send 
. The "bread of life ' to foe and friend, 

I 'iMiat they miL^liL learn of (Jod and heav'n 

A And s(H'k to have their sins foriiiv'n! 

^ Y'ou? who heard the orphan's cries, 

4 And wipeil the teai's from widows eyes! 

4 You y wliM e\ei- sfumli! to l»rin r 

i Sonic elie<M-in'4- word, some otfei-iie^- 

♦ To hid theuiooni ol lite deparl. 



n 



HEAVEN & HELL, OR, A VISION OF THE JUDGMENT DAY. 15 ♦ 

: . ♦ 

♦ 



And gliitUU'ii some i)()or wounded heart! 



Til is surely is enoii^h, my friend ▼ 

To uive your life, your soul commend, t 

Enou"4h, to win for you renown, * 

Enough, to gain a robe and crown.'' T 

**Yes, yes, all this I did, and more— ^ 

I turned no beggars from my door; a 

1 hearkened to the orphan's" moan, * 

And widows wants were to me known; ♦ 

1 helped to sj)read the gosi)el, too, f 

AVhic'h many souls to Jesus drew; ♦ 

I did not covet other's lands, J 

1 tried to keep all God's commands, J 

I loved my neigh)>or as myself— t 

Abstained from envv, malice, pelf, I 

And kept the holy Sabbath day, J 

But sometimes did neglect to pi'ay. ^ 
And thus the ninety-ninth w;is done, 
lUit yet, the last, the hundreth one 
AVas'all foi-gotten, while below, 
>Vhich dooms my soul to endless woe. 

It seems some little sin somewhere 

AV^is not brought forth in fervent prayer; \ 

^My Heart was so entwined ai-ound ' a 

'I'lie many suffering ones, I found I 

My mind so wrapi)ed in eai-nest plan i 

To lu-ini:' relief to e\ery man, , ♦ 

That duty to myself, somehow ♦ 

Was all foi-gotten, until now f 

This awful! solemn, "Judgment Day," T 

1 see the folly of my way. ' J 

And though the record shows me t-rue I 

To ('hrist and God. and brethren, too, j 

The sacred paje that bears my name 4 

All clean and pure— except one stain— I 

One blot, that hangs a mourning pall, 4 

O'ershadowing and outweighing all. f 

Could I have lived another day, ♦ 

Aiul at the cross have knelt to pray, . t 

And chanced to just remember there, ^ 
liefore my God in earnest prayer, 
1Miis one foul ])lot. this tiny sin. 
And asked to l>e )nade i>ure within, 
1 <'ould now wear a ci-own, like you. 
And have a honw with .J<'sns. too. 



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16 HEAVEN & HELL, OR A VISION OF THE J UDGMENT D AY 



1 But now farewell ! a last farewell ! 

4 I'm doomed witli devils now to dwell? 

4 The deeds of charity I wrouglit. 

4 Tliis 'JudgeiHent day' are counted naught 

^ We only need the "book'' to show 

iA true repentance while below. 
It matters not, the way we lived, 
ifow many hearts we may iiave grieved; 
A Jiow many crimes, or darlv the deeds, 

A All that the dying sinner needs, 

I Is to iiEPKNT.and all is well, 

} His soul escapes the tires of hell I 

Again, farewell! my clierished friend, 
I'm going now, tliis is the end 
Of atlmy hopes, and prospects fair. 
My future is but dark despair." 

"One taken and the other left," 
l*erchance of every triend berelt. 
JS'ot one congenial soul above, 
To send a rapturous thi'ill of love 
Such as we teel to-day, my friends, 
AVhen soul with soul congenial blends. 
When all oi-rapport we i)i-icoine! 
'Tis joy to eacii! 'tis heaven to some. 

To me, when bosom heaves with mine, 

As that electric power, divine 

be!ids tingling through my very veins, 

'i'ho secret tiioughts of other brains. 

1 ask no greater boon than tliis, 

'I'liis hallowed! |)ure! this |)eiftH;t bliss — 

{Not a mere iiauble to l)ehol(l ! 
' ris sonii't hing f(;lt. but never told ! 
♦ 

t And there the lonely stranger stands, 

J With (laz-ed look, uplifted "hands, 

I As much alone t hat judgcnu'iit duy, 

I As if leu tiiousand miles away! 

I lint look! his pallied lii)s now mov! 

1 ' i'is liallOl aiuuish, half of love! 

i (,;onic! let us draw more near and see, 

JWhat mea.is this two-fold leverie. 
Oh ! steal away, let's not intrude 
)i:i)on that sacred solitude. 
D.d you those wisperings comprehend? 

2 Or d"id I there, the lowest bend? 
*T ( This breach oi etiquette, I pray 

*! Vou'il pardon, ii ieuvis, this juagement day ! ) 



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HEAVEN & HELL, OR, A VISION OF THE JUDGMENT DAY. 17 ♦ 

♦ 

__ ^ 

T caujiht his words, they held me bound, '♦ 

His rensonin<>" was so profound, *t 

And this is what I heard hiin say *t 

E're [could tui'w and eonie away, *I 

"Oh! why, my God do I remain? J 

AVhile this poor soul must suffer pain, 4 

By far a better man thad I, il 

(). could he but be doomed to die! 4 

Why am I robed in spotless white 4 

And decked with garlands rich and bright? 4 

Ah!— Now! I recollect all, Jj 

That deatii-bed scene, I Just recall — ]I 

Where, just before I breathed my last, ^ 

AVith earthly scenes receeding fast: i* 

The death-dews gathering on my brow, 4 

And voice quite sunk to whispers now; 4 

As loving friends drew still more near 4 
To drop a silent, parting tear. 
Me thouglit, perliaps, I'd best secure 
A passport to that land so pure. 

So, I REPENTED, then and there. 
And asked God's clemency in prayer. 
No sooner said than done. I smiled! 
Whicli spoke, "The Father reconciled;" 
Then closed my eyes, and telt so calm, 
As Jesus poured the healing balm. 

Ah! this is why I now can wear 
'i'his pearly roi)e, and crown so fair, 
Although I'd wandered tar away. 
And scarce, if ever, thought to pray. 
Alas! I'd lived a life of crime. 
The darkest deeds of sliame were mine; 
My coffer's tilled by stealtli; yea, more, 
My hands wer* stained with human GORE 
Yet, when I came before the throne 
With huml)le mein and fervent tone, 
My God ftu-gave it all so free, 
Aiul set my soul at liberty." 

With this soliloquy he stands ' 

Witli quivering lips and clench'd hands, ^ 

Still gazing after him, who cries ' 

( As towartl the yawning gulf he Hies,) \ 

"Adieu to all! farewell, farewell!" ' 
Thju plunges down in endless hell. 

^ ^ ^ ^ ..♦>♦.* ^ , ^ ^ ..,>>,...>> ^ ^^ t 



18 HEAVEN & HELL, OR A VISION OF THE J UDGMENT D A.Y. 



This doomed soul is only one 
Of many thousands, all undone; 
Now bade to take their leave and go 
Where Demon's eyeballs, all a<;lo\v, 
With t'eindish rapture, turn and stare 
At each new victim of despair — 
While lurid tongues of damninj^ fire 
There scathe ami hiss, witii hellish ire. 
And Satan laughs and clanks his chains 
And knows he now the Monarch reigns. 

For has not even God's great pow'r 

♦ Now succombed in this trying hour? 

4 He willed that all should with liim dwell; 

-f But Satan says, "You made a helll 

•T And put me here to rule and reign 

*t As chief, o'er all this dark doniain. 

'I King over all, I could allure, 

'I And by my wily schemes, secure 

\ All that 1 could induce to sin; 

« (And here he gave a horrid grin,) 

^ Yes, sin, and sin. and not repent — 

t4 ■' On this you know L was intent, 

<| ' That tlius my kingdon should be tilled 

4 " With subjects, all witli vice instilled, 

1 had the liberty to roam 
O'er all the earth, from home to home; 
,\sslduously 1 plied n)y art: 
Ingeniously I played my part. 
E'en babes who could but lisp thy name, 
1 'lured to falsehood and to shame; 
And when they knelt at mother's knee. 
And would have tliere confessed to thee, 
1 then assunied an angel's smile, 
(Their, tender hearts to thus b 'guile,) 
And wis})ere(l in their litth; <.>ars, 
' ris folly : 'Ris(; and dry your tears — 
(iojoin your comiades in tludr play. 
And banish s(»now for the day. 

A hurried "Amen" closed tlu; prayer^ 
And left a secrc^t iMicied tluM-e. 
•'The battle fought, th;} victory won,'' 
Some daughter, oi- perchanct^ a son, 
Thin don'ed a stain upon tli'^ brow, 
AVIiieh blacker grow, from then, till now. 
Another h>?arlh of peace;, debarred, 
Another victim safelv snared. 



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4 
HEAVEN & TIELL, OR, A VISIOX OF THE J f DGMENT DAY. 19 ♦ 

. ♦ 



'•T gathered up my cloven feet" ♦ 

Aiui liierl me to aiiothei- street ; f 

Or firm, or hut oiiiiansidu grand; 
It mattered not, for all the land 
"Was my own field to plant, to reap, 
To garner and forever keep. 




'Twas thus and so, each night and day, 

1 laid a stone and paved tiie way ' a 

To these infernal regions, where, 1 

Regardless of your thr(me up there. 

The soul is mine; Yes mine, ha, ha, 

To torture, yet futiil t!iy law. 

And now if 1 the goal have won, 

Outriv'led thee, and e'en thy bon, 

AVho spilled his blood upon the cioss. 

( Which devils counted naught but dross) 

if I'd thispow'r, who gave it me?" 

8aid his Satanic majesty. 

A mother clasps her darling boy. 

That was on earth her pride, her joy; 

t-t.ll close and closer to her breast 

'I'lie trembling form is tightly pi-essed; 

Her haggard face, disheveled hair 

A.dorned with gems and liowers rare; 

Jiermintle oiic^ so [)ure and white, 

Sparklilig with stars of holy light. T 

Now trailing in th^* dust behind, T 

All tell how hantic is that mind; I 

That heaven to her has lost all j.iy, I 

Since dem )iis claim h^yr d iriing boy. ^ 



i 



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HEAVEN & HELL, OR A VISION OF THE JUDGMENT DAY. 

I see them now on every hand, 

Sweet, uiitleged nestlings I glorious band! 

Were called before a sinful thought, 

Or Avord or deed, was ever brought 

To bear upon their infant brain, 

To mar their peace, or cast a stain. 

O Son! can you forgive that prayer? 
That kept you in your cradle there, 
And held you in your mother's arms, 
'Till you out-lived your baby charms. 
And thus matured, enough to know 
That Satan had some i)ower below? 
O could I but recall that plea, 
That kept you there on earth with me! 
But no, too late! all ties are riv'n! 
You're damned in hell, and 1 in heav'u!" 

Another scene! An aged man 
With hoary locks and visage wan, 
A wreath of laurels on his brow. 
His snowy mantle trailing now, 
A golden harp— if tuned — could chant 
The sweetest melodies extant; 
All show that he is waslied and clean; 
Then, wliy does he so wretched seem? 

Ah see! he clasps his daughter's hand, 
Alas! it bears the sinners l)rand. 
Siie, too, has come to say '"farewell," 
E'er slie is driven away to hell. 
The old man reels, and paler grows, 
And on her ghastly lips l)estows 
The last fond kiss 'twill e'er be giv'n 
Inside the pales of holy heav'n: 
While with a loving lather's heart 
ile cries, "My Uod ! why must we part? 
What use wil"l 1 have for this crown? 
This robe, this harp, this great renown? 
It she is not allowed to share, 
o God a father's feelings spare! 
Would thou this sentence countermand, 
All heav'n would shout in chorus grand; 
'J'hey'd praise thy name forever more. 
Ana never cease their love to pour 
Upon thv liosom! holy one. 
The Father, Holy Giiost and Son. 

But all in vaiJi is this fond prayer- 
Unchangeable the Judge sits there; 



HEAVEN & HELL, OR, A VISION OF THE JUDGMENT DAY. 



With toelings oaliii aiul sweet, serene, 
While \vitiiessiii,>4- this tragic scene. 
Jus ricE is all he cares for nosv; 
All must l)ef()re this scepter bow, 
'J'hoiigh all that's saered's severed here, 
Husband and wife, and sisters dear, 
With fathers, brothoi's, every heart 
Is forced from some loved one to part. 

Look ! see that babe with flaxen hair 
Now floating gently through the air. 
In heav'ns richest livery dressed, 
With glittering stars and pearly crest; 
Away it flies with smiles so sweet; 
But see! it 'lights down at the feet 
Other who nursed it while on earth, 
And loved it dearly from its birth. 

Oh! how it folds its wings to rest 
Upon that dear maternal breast. 
And nestles close its cui-ly head 
IT{)on that bosom, 'twould'have shed 
Every drop of crimson gore, 
'Vo save the child on earth it ])oro. 
And how she clasps tiie tiny thing, 
And strokes its little golden wing; 
Then ])lumes her own that she may fly 
With this sweet cheru!) through the sky: 
Thanking, fi*om her inmost soul 
Tlie God (Who once did all control,) 
For this re-iinion, tliis new life, 
F.eyond tiie din of earthly strife. 

Oh. look! a cliaiige comes o'er her !>row; 
What moans these screams she's uttt-.ring now? 
Why does she ij utter here and there? 
And wring her hands and tear her hair, 
And shriek and moan, and sigh and cry, 
And now sink down and pray to die? 
Ah, see! they've snatched her babe away, 
Because this" is the ^'Judgment Day! 
And she is numl)ered witli the lost, 
AV^hile lie is one of heav'ns host: 

While just beyond, there stands a bride— 
Her earthly helpmeet by her side, 
Wiio scarce hafl dared to call her wife 
Until th(! brittle thread of life 
Was sundered; and he left to mourn 
With mortal lif<;, to him now sh*)rn 



— I 

♦ 

I 






— ; 



22 HEAVEN & HELL, OR A VISION OF THE JUDGMENT DAY. 

Of all its beauty, grace and love, 
f 'Till pitying eyes looked from al)ove, 

♦ And called liini too, to join tlie song 

♦ Of "sweet deliverance" witli tlie tlirong. 

♦ And here he'd been allowed to taste 

T ( With arms entwined al>out the waist,) 

I Of her he'd loved, the sweets ot lieav'n, 

I From every shade of sorrow riv'n. 

\ Although th:it marriage vow, that twined 

I These loving hearts ol kindred mind 

I AVas all of earth, no longer bound 

!By ritual ties or solemn sound 
Of priest or law, yet who will say. 
That love, congenial, fades away, 
t That love that melts two hearts in one 

I Like crystal di'ops beneatli the sun 

I Shall vanisli, like the morning dew, 

I Or that grand arch of every hue 

I That i)roudly reached from pole to pole, 

^ Inspiring each and every soul, 

4 And bidding them with reverence bend - 

♦ To liim, wlio tliis grand bow did send, 
f To smile a moment or an hour, 

♦ In token of liis love and power. 



And thus, beyond that Jordan stream 
By tliat instinct of love, 'twould seem, 
ii'e found her waiting on the strand 
With smiling face— extended hand, 
'JMie hrst to greet the trembling soul. 
And usiier to the tinale goal. 
And iiere around the throne divine, 
They'd knell before the sacred shrine, 
And'join'il in tliat grand shout on high, 
Foi' this reunioii in the sky. 
And then, with outstretched pinions lair. 
They rose upon the l>almy air. 
And soared away in peifect bliss, 
IJestowinu' here and there a kiss, 
lIl)on each lloaiing gioup who waved, 
A kindly welcome, as they laved; 
In that (lelightfiil stream of love. 
Of perfect peace and i-est al)0ve. 

Until that blast from (iabriel's horn. 
Apprised them tliis was "Judgment morn. 
And now the sentenci^ lias been past, 
He must in endless llanies l»e cast. 



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HEAVEN & HELL, OR, A VISION OF THE JUDGMENT DAY. 23 

]Uit she is pure, and can renuiin, ♦ 

And drink of liea'vnly sweets again. t 

A crown of life is on lier brow; T 

Why is siie not rejoicing now? * 

O God! behold her youthful face, I 

Beseeching thee, but to ert'ace I 

That stain from thy great record there, I 

That he too be allowed to share a 

The joy and pleasure ot the blest, I 

And here his wearied soul find rest. I 

Btit no, in vain that pale, sad face ♦ 

TTptnrns, while pearly tears fast chase ♦ 

Eacii other down the'mar])le cheek, f 
While lips and tongue refuse to speak. 

In vain, she folds him in her wings, 
And to the doom-ed form now clings; 
''IMs l)ut a long farewell, embrace 
Iler ashen lips, and l)lanched face 
Move not the Judge in that sad hour, 
IV) mingle mercy with his power, 
Jiut calmly, and with sweetest mein, 
lie looks lipon the sickening scene. 

And as that husl)and of a day 

Kneels at his feet as if to pray, 

I'.ut utters not the faintest sound, 

His eyes are cast upon the ground. 

lie only smites his Ijreast and bends, 

Still low and lower as she rends 

Tiie very skies, with screams and moans, 

That only mingle with the groans 

Of others, thus bereft and tried, 

Like this poor helpless, hopeless bride. 

'T would melt a human heart to tears, 
A human sire would quell their fears, 
At once remit all past offense. 
And leave not e'en a dire suspense, 
liut crown with pardon, full and free, 
'IV) last through all eternity. 

j>ut now. remembering this is hea'vn, 
Where faintest sins are not forgiv'n, 
Ho rises with the last hope dead, 
. And fondly strokes that crown-ed head- 
Imprints fi kiss on lips and brow— 
TTnwiiuls tlip arms of her who now 
Entreats to follow e'en to hell; 
Yes, rather than to sav "farewell.'' 



4 



IIELL, OR A VISION OF THE JUDGMENT DAY. 



That long, that last, that sad '^good-bj^e" 
She, speaks it not, Init heaves a sigh, 
Tliat wings it way ui) to the throne, 
AV^here sits that seeming henrt of stone, 
And senseless to the ground she falls. 
And liears no more the plaintive calls 
Of him now borne toward the l)rink 
Of that deep gulf, that endless sink — 
Where "Help! O Help!" can ne'er ])0 heard, 
And Hope is but a senseless word. 

Alf heav'n is one heart-rending scene — 
There's not a soul but feels the keen. 
Sharp pains of pai-ting, in his breast; 
Although he has by heav'n been blest. 

The last farewell of love's ])3en spoken — 

Tlie last fond tie of hope's been broken, 

And marching or<lers loud proclaimetl 

For all whose souls with guilt are stained. 

Oh, can the Father's ear withstand 

That pitteous wail on every hand! 

His court resounds witli slirieks and groans. 

Territic yells, deep sighs and moans. 

35ut for fhese glittering crowns and wreaths, 

And stately robes l»orno by the ])reeze, 

There's none could tell, tlie tloomed and lost 

From heav'nsi redeemed and honored host; 

This exhibition of disti-ess 

Annihilates all haj)piness. 

All this! and yei liiat God of ritjht— 
That (iod of v;icr('y/, ti'uth and niight — 
That (lod omniscient, pui-(^ and true, 

it That lAtiher (svith a love for you. 

f^ Should we with our affectior.s uage. 

'Twoald seem almost like sacrilege.) 
That God whose slightest wisli must be 

♦t A IdiO through all eternitv. 

t<> That God ! wiinse halo reaciiing far 

if Outrivalin.;' SUM and nioon and star, 

Illumines witli its hallowed Ix'ams 
The whole of lu''v'n— that iie'N'n which teems 
With l>i-i!lianl diadems of gold — 
With hann.ers. plumes and gems untold; , 
AVhich, catching up the sacred rays 
(As cartiily MAM-romnncor plays) 
Of one, tlu'y nuike a thousajid more, 
AVhich, like tiudr pi'ayers, they vaiiily pour 



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HEAVEN & HELL, OR, A VISION OF THE JUDGMENT DAY. 25 

Out at his feet for those whom he ♦ 

Has doomed to suttVr endlessly. t 

And yet, that God! while all this train ♦ 

Of mourners, at his feet remain; ♦ 

But smiles, and reaelies forth his hand, t 

(Like some magician's mystic wand,) t 

And ])lucks another star of light T 

Froin out iiis constellation bright, T 

And j)lanting in their midst, he says I 

"Hehold : my glorious mysteries!" I 

Then, Irom tlie overshadowing bow'rs 4 

He breaks the richest, sweetest flow'rs; i 

Bedecks tlie spangled suppliants there, ♦ 

And bids them 'rise, and cease their prayer, ♦ 

Then wrai)S his fleecy mantle 'round J 

His stately form, witii looks profound, T 

And settles back upon his throne t 

With "Not ycmr will, l)ut mine be done." t 

Some have torn themselves away I 

The dreadful summons to obey; * 

While others linger at the throne. 

Beseeching there with look and moan; 

And some still cling to loving friends, 

'Till (iod an escort now he sends. 

That bids them march without delay, 

And thus they're rudely forced awa3\ 

Tliey reach the brink — in terror gaze 
Into that gulf, now all ablaze. 
Another farewell kiss they wave, 
And leap into a living gi-ave. 
O, sliould some kindly breeze now waft, 
That last fond kiss, that piercing shaft, 
liack to the bosom of the sire! 
O, would he not then (luench the tire 
And let them all come forth again. 
And bannish hell and endless pain? 
Xo,>cho"answer, e'en that kiss, 
Could not secure them heavn'ly bliss. 

No, not while Justice stands to wave 
Hei' taunting colors o'er that grave! 
Though dripping now with tears and blood, 
It proudly flaunts a))ove tiiat flood; 
Triumphantly the bearer stands, 
(('hief attribute of holy hands,) 
With one foot on the flre-rv sea. 



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26 HEAVEN & HELL, OR A VISION OF THE JUDGMENT DAY. 

The other stretched far o'er the lea, 
Cominanding novv with "iron" rod, 
All Hell and Heaven; Yea! even God. 
****** 
The escort have returned to he'ven 
AVith tidings that the last tie's riv'n, 
Their prisoners all secure in chains, 
The chief ol Demons o'er tlieni reigns; 
No danger that they'll e'er intrude 
Into the presence of the good; 
For moans and groans, and sighs and pains 
Have no alfect on devil's chains, 
Unless, to rivet still more strong. 
The manacles, while feindish song, 
And ridicule, witli taunting sneer. 
Is hissed into the victims eai'. 

My God! vvhnt sluieks now rend the air, 

AVhat pleadings now with hoi>eless prayer, 

As this report of endless pain, 

Is sounded in their ears again. 

"Why not rejoice?" the escort cry, 

As sadder grows each tear dimmed eye, 

'•Ye are ricl of all this sinful band. 

The entire tield's at you're command; 

rtejoice! rejoice! let's hear again, 

These magic harps send fortli a strain 

Of mylody, as was their w^ont 

Before ye sipped at sorrow's fount." 

"Alas! our hearts must be of stone, 
All earthly love and feeling gone, 
Before we can e'en here in lieaven, 
Where all are clean and pure, forgi'vn, 
Kiijov the rapture of the place, 
Or e'en a smile liglit up our face. 
Tlie air, tliough laden with perfume 
Ot richest tlow'rs in l)U(l and bloom, 
iSeems hut to scathe our thi-obhing brow. 
As tauntings ot tlieir sutfci'ings now; 
And e'en the songters Hitting thiougli 
The groves of gold and purple hue; 
Tiieir [)early beaks and plumage fair 
Like diamonds glittering in the air, 
Now almost sitlil their tiny throats 
In sending lorth theii' myriad notes. 
In vain endeavor thus to clicer 
The breaking heart and dry the tear, 
And hei[) us t.» forget the nasi. 



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HEAVEN & HELL, OR, A VISION OF THE JUDGMENT DAY. 27 I 

♦ 

And feel that vu-'vp i-ea.-lied home at lrt!>t, ♦ 

'riiat (11,- should lay aside all care t 

And with them henv'n's i>lory share. t 

Ah sweet warlder. well hast thou t 

'I'hy bird-like form and feathery brow, I 

For had'st tiioii had a human form, I 

In the imaue of thy (rod ])een bor)i, \ 

Thy heai't would n')t so liappy be, i 

Althoui::!! thou mi.uht fi-om sin 1)6 free. ♦ 

For this intellii^enoe, 'tis jiiv'n k 

To man alone, (by (xod from heav'n,) ♦ 

Of which we were so proud on eai'th, t 

And cultivated from our])irth; t 

This human auency so free, J 

Of which we could boast over thee, I 

Seems^biit a ctirse in this fair world, I 

Into perdition it has hurled \ 

The Ki'^attir i)art of this great host, 4 
And they are now forever lost. 

What now is heaven? A dreary waste 

l"o us who are allowed to taste 

Its boundless sweets and pleasures rare, 

While they are writhing in despair, 

Pleading with their i)arched tongues 

"How long, O Uod I How long, how long! 

O! just one droi> from yon clear lake, 

This agonizing thiist to slake; 

One cooling draught from that sweet fount 

Now rippling down that pel)ly mount. 

Its rich etfuigence sending foVth 

'I'o some few souls its boundless worth, 

While iiiillions. Lord, miglit drink and live, 

And to the author praises give. 

Without diminishing the stream 

Oi- i-obl)ing it of one bright gleam." 

liut all unheeded is this cry— 

They're doomed a living death to die, ♦ 

While on the little sti-eam still Hows, ♦ 

Deep'ninii' and wide'ning as it goes, ♦ 

All unconcious that it bi'ings 

Such pangs (d' sorrow as it sinus 

And dances l>y. with merry glee. 

In view of all'this miserv, 

Wiiilc Devils heap the coals still high'r, 

Atid hot and hotter grows the tire. 

As Satan parts the crackling flames 



a 



4 28 HEAVEN & HELL, OR A VISION OF THE J UDGMENT D AY. 

♦ And shouts aloud the victim's names 

iWith a rebuke and taunting sneer, 
Whieli shook the very gates with fear, 
And then proclaimed his sovereign pow'r 
iTo torture every day and hour. 
With no regard lor prayer or plea 
Throughout this vast eternity. 
"Yes, licensed by that (Jod wlio gave 
His son to die your souls to save, 

• And yet permitted me to reign 

i To thwart his plans: And thus in vain 

I Was that blood shed to cleanse the world 

1 While 1 my banner held unlurled." 

******* * 
I All heav'n a change has undergone— 

f A cloud of gloom now rests upon 

k The fairest wreathed and sainted brow 

. Around that throne of Justice now; 

* Deserted are those mansions grand, 

I I'repared liy God's own gracious hand; 

1 Those streets of gold, how lone and drear, 

T AVith here and there a traveler, 

t Who walk with head bowed low with grief, 

I Beyond all hojjc of kind relief. 

I How can they tune their har[)s to play 

I Since that eventful "Juduinent Day?" 

Their bleeding hearts will ne'er l)e healed. 
Although the wliole of heav'n's revealed. 

That towering mount in ]»eauty dressed, 
The loftiest ])eak. sporting a crest 
Tliat almost touched the azure sky. 
And kissed the clouds that Hitted by; 
That glassy lake, with swans so white, 
Now tloatjng on its surface bright; 
Tliose water lillies that therci grew, 
And o'<M- them tiieirrich fragrance threw, 
All seem in vain to cheer the heart. 
And bid tlie solemn gl(»om deptirt. 
It only tears aJresli ilie wound 
As each new pleasure here is foiiiid. 
The contrast, as it greater gi'ows. 
Speaks loud and louder of theii- woes; 
And how can they participate 
111 i)leasures, knowing of tiie fate 
Of tliose dear friends, who once were here 
Without a pain, or sigh or tear 
We«-e numbered with the heav'nly throng, 
And joined in every shout and song. 



U. 



HEAVEN & HELL, OR, A VISION OF THE JUDGMENT DAY. 20 ♦ 

I 



♦ 

() God: liow can they o\ev raise ♦ 

'I'lieir voices now, in uhi'lsoiiie iiraisey 

How can tlie\ siu'z ;uid i;!iJrl> anil shout, . 

And lionor tliee who drove them out, t 

And turned that Idissliii place of rest * 

V/here all with liapidness was Idest, 

Into a iiouse of inoiirninii- diear, 

Wliere on ea(di face is found a tear; — 

Yes, down tlie lurrow.-d cheek they creep, 

As they in silence sit and weep — 

lleaarding not tiiose beauteous liills, 

I'iiose friiiirant tlowei's and purling- rills, 

Those crystal lakes and lawns ot i-reeii, 

And forests clothed in silver sheen. 

All madeexpressl y (by the Loi'd,) 

For those obedient, to his woi-d. 

And had i>y him all sins foriiiv'n 

Hefore they readied the i^-ates ot heav'n. 

See them recline witii saddeneu l)rows 

Beneath t'le foliaii,e of these bou,i::hs, 

Wiiere once tlie joyous sliouts were heard 

('om!ninH;lini!: with the twittering: bird. 

As ea(di the <;entle breeze tliey fanne<l, 

And uj)ward rose, a ubuious V)and, 

To sin<4 the honors of his name. 

And love for Jesus loud proclaim; 

Hy zephyr winsrs of beauty borne, 

AV^ith n luuht in heav'n for thein to mourn. 

If years of])ain could !)Ut atone 

For what those souls on earth had done — 

It years his wi"ath could but api)ease. 

And he would then those friends release, 

There would not ]>e such cause f(U' ji'rief, 

They'd feel that there was yet relief. 

IJutOhl how far troni peace and rest; 

What i)iercin'j,- shafts dart throu!::h each l)rea8t 

.\s they reflect that endless time 

Is all, that will suflice for crime 

Committed in their brief career 

Ot life, upon that earthly sphere. 



And thus a thousand years ;;'oes l)y. 
And now tliey raise Iheir ey(^'S and cry. 
"How lonu'. (> (lod, how loii<' y must ihe)^ 
Yet suffer? for that thou.uhtless day, 
That lUth' sin, not pardoned Lord, 
That violation of thv word.'' 



a 



A„». ♦♦♦♦♦»♦♦♦*• ♦ ■♦- ♦ ♦■«■♦♦♦»»»»♦»»♦♦♦♦•♦ -»'-♦■ ♦♦♦-♦-♦ ^ 
30 HEAVEN & HELL, OR A VISION OF THE JUDGMENT DAY. j 

The answer comes, "Go count the sand f 

Upon the widest ocean's strand — 

Tlien add to this the stars of lii^ht ' 

That arched your eartlily honn^ at night, 

And with the drops of ocean try 

This vast amount to multiply. 

And this, to you, may faintly give 

Some idea of the years they'll live 

To sutler in that gulf of tire 

To (jratiiij your Makefs ire.^'' 

Oh! wonder not that this should fall 
With mighty weight upon them all— 
Prol>e deep and deeper each sad heart 
That had from sonu loved one to part; 
And that low, solemn funeral knell 
Is all that's heard to break the spell- 
That dirge, or chime of sighs and moans. 
Despondent prayers with tears and groans 
Is all that greets the father's ear, 
His kind and lovin-i- heart to cheer. 



Another age- a million years 
Is sj)ent in anguish and in tears, 
And yet again, we hear the cry 
This "tinu; in pleadings but to die. 

'M)h. welcome death ! sweet death! sweet death !" 
(J(>m(;s swelling up vvitli every breath 
From tliat low, torturing bed of tire, 
(Created by their loving sire,) 
Who now witli ears all closed to prayer, 
Looks down upon each victim there. 
And contemplates with earnest mood, 
" This is my work, I called it good; * 

This pit is just wiijit I designed, • 

And all tlie powers of hell combined 
Cannot one Jot or tittle waive 
'IMie law 1 at creation gave, 
rnalleialde this law must be 
From liist. throughout eternity: 
For Jl'skick must l)e dealt to lill 
Tliough e'en the \ei\v heav'ns fall. 
Oil ! suifcrinj, cliildren ccas ' your cry ! 
1 cannot even let you die!" 

"() Father, Fath'M-. Father, dear, 
() will y(tu not our pleadings lieai'! 
How loM::-, () (iod, how lou'/ must we 



.a 



—^ 



HEAVEN & HELL, OR, A VISION OF THE JUDGMENT DAY. 31 



Yet live, thus banished far from thee?" 

"Take all the ay-es of the past, 

And all the souls on earth e'er cast, 

Then add each shriek and pang of hell, 

And everv tear that ever fell 

From mournful eyes, from first till now, 

(•ombined with every sacred vow 

Ot man and (lod, and this will be 

But one faint jot, Etern.ityl 

'Tis far beyond the mind of man, 

Nor can immortal souls e'er span 

Or ,<;-rasi) that vast expanse of time 

Allotted for your earthly crime, 

ForeverV <'says the s^reat '•! am/') 

With tiuicer restinij in the palm 

Of that same hand that strewed the earth 

With beauty, fragrance, love and mirth, 

And blessed the world with every grace 

That would enhance the sweet birth place. 

Oh! can that holy hand of power 

Yet i)unish for anotlier hour? 

Yes, still tiiere issues moans of pain, 

And dismal groans, with clanking chain; 

And there, amid the flames we see 

Two pleading hands of agony, 

And hear again that i)iteous cry 

For mercy, fVom the throne on high. 

Some mother's son, or daughter fair 
Ories from the depths of dark despair, 
"O Heav'nly Father! was it thee 
Wlio s Mit that message sweet to me? — 
That (rolrlen Rule, found in that book, 
( Wliich as that holy word we look,) 
Which said, "To others always do 
As you would wish them do to you." 
O (iiod! was that for earth alone? 
Or can thy heart be turned to stone? 
Or is this now what I siiould do 
If you were I, and I were you?" 

Another volley, iierce and wild, 
An answer gave, to that doomed child, 
And as the tire'y flood swept by, 
(With Satan's chariot mounted high,) 
One piercing shriek! Ihe supi)liant gave. 
And all was hushed, beneath the wave;— 
'Till otliers^, thirsting for the cup 



! 



-^-•-^-•-4- 



HEAVEN & HELL, OR A VISION OF THE JUDGMENT DAY. 



n 



i Are here and there seen struggling up, 

4 All vainly seeking one cool draught, 

f Like those in earth life sweetly (luatted, 

i AVhile one, with crisi)-e(l tongue, now trios 

^ To tiiove the God of Paradise. 

t Oh! hear his lamentation there; 

I Then estimate the power of i)rayer, 

I (When ottered from the earth instead,) 

I Of this low, tortui-ing, damning bed. 

♦ ''The saddest words of tongue or pen, 
4 He knowt: are these,— /^ mk/ht have been.''* 

♦ But there that instinct, hope, still dwells, 
I AVhich not a thousand deaths or hells 
I Can wholly banish from the man, 
▼ Or reconcile to heav'ns plan. 

♦ Thus prompted, here he lilts his eyes, 
I And to the God of mercy cries, 

♦ *'How did 1 dare to muse an hour! 
Or stoj* to trifle with a llow'r? 
To bathe me in the sunset's glow, 
Or feast on yonders grand rainbow? 
Why listened 1 to ripling l)rooks, 
Or pondered over dear old books? 
Why did I heed a i)rattling child. 
Or pause to sooth a maniac wild? 
TTntil my sins had been foi-giv'n. 
And my poor soul made iieir to heav'n? 
Why were tiie waving tields of grain — 
The valleys, mountains and the plain, 
The shimmering clouds and pale moonbeams, 
The rocks and moss, and silver streams. 
So much a-kin to heav'n that they 
Have led so many lambs astray? 
Instead of studying n:iture there, 
AVe should have spent tlie time in prayer, 
And noting down our many wrongs, 
In chanting Psalms and Gos|)el songs. 
And begging thee on bended knee 

To set oui- sin-cursed spirits free; ♦ 

But thoughtless as a buzzinu- tly 4 

We sate, admiring earth aiul sky, * 

'Till death, without a warning word, I 

Had su-nmoned us l>efore the Lord. 



Oh Heav'n ly Father! love divine! 
Am I not vet a'child of tiiine 



k Am 1 not yei a cmui oi inine.' a 

I A "Prodigal" though now 1 hv , I 

4 O may 1 not return to thee? * \ 



HEAVEN & HELL, OR, A VISION OF THE JUDGMENT DAY. 33 ♦ 

Oil I cannot all these years appease, ♦ 

Or will this torture never cease?" t 



"Xo, never! never! never! child! j 

Tliese i)iteous groans, and stiriekings wild, * 

Thouirh i)ierclnji: through and through my breast, I 

And all tlie sinless sore opi)ressed; I 

But Justice, child, must now prevail, ^ 

Though hea'v'n and earth, and hell bewail 1 
Forever! writhe and cry in vain. 
But in that gulf you must remain; 
The gate is closed, and bears my seal, 
And from this court there's no appeal!'' 
******** 

My God! is this the end of man? 
O.'can this be thy holy plan? 
Can this increase thy glorious fame? 
Or in the least exhalt thy name? 
Or can it of advantage be 
To punisli through eternity? 
If so, 'tis tar l)eyond the reach 
Of man to see or nature teach; 
We can but fail to comprehend 
I Tow endless torture e'er can tend 
To Imov thee up, thy bliss increase, 
Or give thy loving spirit peace. 

The whole of nature's laws are grand. 
And guided by thy loving hand— 
'IMiat hand so inighty, yet so kind. 
That Hocks and herds and insects mind. 
Now temp'ring winds all chill and bleak 
( As with some magic touch, or freak) 
To the shorn laml) U!)on Uie hill, 
And to the river and the rill, 
' ris gcntiv waved and tliey oi»oy. 
And cease th'.'ir grand majestic play. 

Oh! Ood. can this snme iiand of thine, 

'I'his lovin^i: hand of power divine? 

Hold l>()und in tire with clanking chains, 

'IMime own dear children? sulfcring pains ^ 

And anguish indescribable 

Oh! h-.'a'v'n. is not it terrilde? 

Is it not almost l>iaspheme 

To utter this conc<'rning thco ? 

Or ciin it t^'er consistant be 

With what we thus far know of thee? 

llas't Thou no! wat<'hed us all with care, 

While from ihv Itounty all doth share? 



t» 



Dos't not th}' warm sun shine on all? 

Thy bparkling dew drop on each fall? 

Thy [tale majestic moon on hii;li 

Liook down on all while sailing by, 

And smile as sweetly on the liut, 

As on the lordly mansion? But, 

It is enongh— there's none who dare 

To say, thet theg expect to share 

This torture from thy liand, 

Although they've broken thy command. 

For them this hell was not designed, 

To them thou could'st not be unkind, 

Nor for their children, tbou did'st give 

They, too, in heav'n must surely live, 
■ But all forotliers not so dear, 

' '* To their fond hearts, while jcnirneying here. 

This doctrine, once so popular. 
This dreadful doctrine, near and far 
Was taught in honor of thy name. 

To thus exalt thy glorious fame. | 

Thou good, thou'klnd. thou loving God! k 

There's not a soul that's ever trod I 

Upon thy footstool e'er will know ♦ 

The depths of mercy thou didst show. t 

According to our icorks we'll be J 

Adjudged each day, my Lord, by tiiee, ! 

And sin will not unpunished go. i 

Nor yet oui- righteousness o'erthrow; I 

For when we violate thy laws, * 

J.KGITlMArK KFKKCrs OF CAUSIO i 

Will follow, though we come to Ihee i 

^Vllll i-ontrite lieart and bemled knee, I 

Imploring iiarilon fromihy hand, ♦ 

F(U- disobeying thy commaiul. t 

We cannot tread upon a thorn. 
Or wiong a cliild that e'er was born, 
Without we feel the sling and p;uii 
That follows (luicUly in it-, train. 

All Messed in this world wiii be » 

♦t 'l^lie m:in w!io lives eons stentiy, ♦ 

f And when that glorious change shall come, t 

f And ang-'ls waft his spirit home, J 

f 'I'hev'll land iu,m in a lofiier s|diere ! 

r Tiiaii it he liad'1)een giovelinii- here. I 

J^ As water sev'ks its level true, \ 

1^^.— i--^— — ^^^^^->---- — --^^--^ ^-^ 






HEAVEN & HELL, OR, A VISION OF THE JUDGMENT DAY. 



35 



n 



So is nature throii<>ii and through; 

As Jesus has prepareci a place 

(All litted with his love and grace,) 

For every child of lowly birth, 

And every sovereign too, of earth, 

Lets thank him, for his i)Oundless love, 

And seek the higher realms above; 

Lets try to elevate the soul, 

Our evil passions to control, 

Have charity for age and youth, 

Be guided by the holy truth. 

Which leads' no child of earth astray, 

But points beyond the ''milky way,'' 

To where a father !)ends his ear 

To catch the simplest evening prayer, 

Not to pardon but to love, 

And to woo to higher spheres above. 

O God ! would it not better be 
To cast this stignui all from thee, 
And hold thee up in thy true light, 
With beams of love and mei'cy bright, 
That penetrates each cloud of fear- 
Quells every sigh, and dries the tear 
Of every ch'ild that thou has't sent 
( Without their knowledge or consent,) 
To people this, thine earthly si»here, 
To struggle through this brief career. 
And sutt'er sorrow. i)ain and death, 
On, on, until with the latest breath. 
They hear thy call, are borne away 
On snowy wings to endless day — 
There to progress trom sphere to sphere 
Without a troubled thought or tear, 
Enchanting realms of blissful rest! 
For every sorrow-stricken l)reast. 
All thanks to thee! thou God of love. 
Who reigns sui)reme o'er all above, 

But take this dark, this amfnl view 
Of history, hell, and heaven too, 
After this direlul Judgment Day, 
W hen 'tis l)Ut folly e'en to pray' 
For these doomed" victims of despair 
By any of his saints so fair; 
And with this sorrow they must live 
Through endless ages, just to (jrieve. 

When every note of piaise 'tis heard 



HEAVEN & HELL. OH A VISION OF THE JUDGMENT DAY. 



From ripling brook or twittering bird, 

Is but a bar-bed arrow spent, 

( A.Uhoiii;:h on mercy's mission sent,) 

To tear afresh each wounded bi'east, 

In that bright world, designed lor rest. 

When every tree, and every vine 

That 'round the trunlc and branches twine, 

Keach out with pitteous, loving arms 

And beckon with a thousand charms, 

All seem l>ut mocking since that day. 

When Godj his millibijs swept away. 

And even roses, freshly blown. 
Along the ])ath so tliickly sli'own, 
Look up in vain with tender smile, 
Tliere thoughts from sorrow to beguile; 
And lillies shed a tear of dew, 
(As slowly pass the sinless few.) 
And then pi-esume with modest air 
To olfei- their sweet fia.nrance there, 
'J'hen scatter leaves of pui-f'st wiiit(! 
Aloi\gtlie golden i)ave so Itright; 
AVMiiU^ e'en the bursting bjuls now glaueo 
With loving smiles to thus enhance 
The pleasure of the saved, who now. 
With weai-y step aiul saddened brow 
Are left to tread the sliiniu'/ siiore, 
AV'ith. heav'n's .iut>TiCE to deplore. 

Can e'en our (ioD, in view of tliis, 
(Airrtioii of all that might be bliss,) 
ran 111-:, i ask. Oh i can II..' tell? 
Which IS I1kav\n! and wliich is IIell! 



3477-ld2 
Lot 69 










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